Australian Inland Exploration

Jardine’s Journal – Narrative of the Overland Expedition of the Messrs. Jardine from Rockhampton to Cape York – First Facsimile 1994

Originally published by J.W. Buxton, Brisbane in 1867. Compiled from the Journals of the Brothers, and edited by Frederick Byerley, Engineer of Roads, Northern Division of Queensland.

This is the first and preferred Corkwood Press (Bundaberg) facsimile of 1994 of the near impossible to get 1867 Brisbane original. Very good condition … Manfred Cross’s copy. Octavo, 88 pages after preliminaries, frontispiece of the brothers as in the original, gilt titles over blue cloth covered boards.

Includes a facsimile of the map published with that original account.

Voyager Background Note

In 1863 it was decided by Governor Bowen that a settlement should be established at the tip of Cape York at Albany. He selected John Jardine a magistrate at Rockhampton for the task who in turn thought that his sons Frank (22) and Alexander (20) could make their way overland with a mob of cattle.

They put together a party and set off in May 1864. There were ten in all including six aborigines. They all convened at Carpentaria Downs the property of J.G. McDonald beyond here the country was basically unknown. It was not until October that they finally set off with a mob of 250 head and 42 horses. They were well armed.

They moved North West along the Einasleigh River and were followed by aborigines in war paint but were not attacked – at this point. The landscape softened from large granite boulders to flat sandy beds. They reached 120 miles and decided to rest a few days where the forage was good and the cattle and horses improved.

They moved on and crossed and later named the Byerley Creek. A fire demolished their camp and much of their supplies were lost. They made on to Staaten River (named by the Dutch during their early marine explorations) and then on to find the Mitchell River having been lost a number of times.

On 20th November 1864 the first fight with aborigines took place. A number of encounters followed and they decided to move on North. Eventually they found the Mitchell which was the site of their bloodiest encounter.

As they moved into December storms rolled in and the journey became difficult – they had to resort to killing their cattle as supplies ran out. They moved quickly noting good grazing near the Archer River.

On 11th January 1865 they reached the Batavia River where several of their horses died from eating poisonous plants.

They pushed on as hard as they could and sent a scouting party out on 30th January 1865 to find their destination estimated to be 25 miles distant but were unsuccessful. The terrain was difficult, steep hills and gullies crossed by narrow deep creeks overgrown by dense tropical vegetation. It was not until 1st March 1865 that the party heard the yelling of scouts sent out from the settlement to find them.

Their journal records that a camp was made at Vallack Point and “there the weary cattle and horses at last found rest, while their drivers were able to indulge in the luxuries of regular feeding and uninterrupted sleep”

$50.00

Updating cart…

Kennedy – The Barcoo and Beyond 1847 – Beale – Signed by Publisher Dan Sprod

Published by the tremendous Blubber Head Press of Hobart and signed by the publisher Dan Sprod at the front

The quality of the book is best bar none and the condition near fine. Octavo, 292 pages, nicely illustrate, some in colour, end paper maps an, a most unusual printed thick glassine dust cover, often chipped but here completely undamaged.

The author was taken aback by the contents of fresh papers that surfaced from the descendants of Kennedy – and along with records held in Northern Ireland and the journals and papers at the Royal Geographical Society London the rich content of this book has been crafted.

Edmund Besley Court Kennedy (1818-1848) was chosen by Mitchell as his second for the 1846 expedition into southern and central Queensland. He was given command of a further expedition the nest year to trace Mitchell’s “Victoria River” to an expected mouth in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This turned out not to be true, Kennedy proving that that the Victoria was in fact the Barcoo, the upper waters of Cooper Creek … and in doing so discovered the valuable Channel Country. He then went on to track the Werrego River and in a further expedition from Rockingham Bay in 1848, setting its sights on the very tip of the Cape York Peninsula, he was killed by aboriginals.

Three folding maps near rear.

Essential and Fine Kennedy

$60.00

Updating cart…

Lord Forrest – Centenary Booklet – 1847-1947

Better than a “booklet” this eventually comprehensive biographical work on explorer to be Premier of Western Australia John Forrest – Baron Forrest of Bunbury and Forret in Fife.

Stapled octavo size, 48 pages with reproductions from period photographs, sketched maps etc. A proper tribute to the man and his many achievements all of which have given a big push-along to the development of the western state.

John Forrest the man of his times

$25.00

Updating cart…

Mines and Minerals – Herbert Cox and Felix Ratte – Sydney 1885

First edition of this extremely scarce book for the mining industry. Printed by John Woods of Bridge Street, Sydney and published in 1885 as part of the “Technical Education Series. The principal author Cox was Instructor of the Department of Geology, Mineralogy and Mining at the Sydney Technical College [advertisements to his course appear at the rear] – his co-author held a similar position at the Ballarat School of Mines.

Octavo, 342 pages, plus index and numerous trade related advertisements at the back and the front. Some adverts of the key machinery providers of the period – Dunn, Babcock etc., relevant booksellers lists which include Geike’s volumes and the odd amusing elements such as the Waterproof Riding or Driving Toga which doubles as a bush bed covering. Original brown cloth covered boards with gilt tiles and embellishments to front, back and spine. The condition is still good to better we think for such a rarity which no doubt has been quite well used. The binding is a little loose but not that bad. Find another one!

Super information starting with chapters on geology, stratified deposits, Mineral veins and lodes, irregular and alluvial deposits. Moving to the Physical Properties of Minerals and their composition and determination. Noble metals and silver and lead, mercury, copper, tin, tungsten, titanium, and molybdenum. Leading to haloids, salts, quartz, opal, silicates, and precious stones.

Near the end we have two chapters which drew our attention – Assays and the use of the Blowpipe and Special Assays for Gold and Silver. The use of the carbon block and the blowpipe …

Special Australian book on Geology and Mineralogy – 1885

$240.00

Updating cart…

The Great Trek [The Expedition of the Jardine Brothers in Far North Queensland] – Ion Idriess – 1947 Edition

This is Ion idriess’s adaption of the incredible exploratory journey of the Jardine Brothers from Rockhampton all the way up to Somerset at the very tip of Cape York. They drove cattle all the way – their father already there by more comfortable means – he must have been a pretty confident parent. They had help of course but it was their termination that drove the party through – they didn’t all make it – it was pretty hostile on the way.

Printed on “war paper” so has the characteristic even toning of the pages, a pity because its otherwise clean inside. The dust jacket a trifle worn – pretty good really and truly scarce.

Published by Angus and Robertson. Octavo, 222 pages, illustrated frontispiece of an attack on the party.

Idriess on the Jardines – a rare one.

$60.00

Updating cart…

Proud Intrepid Heart – Leichhardt’s First Attempt to the Swan River 1846-1847 – Dan Sprod – Signed, Limited Numbered Edition

Published by Blubber Press, Hobart in 1989. Quarto, 334 pages, well illustrated and printed on quality paper (Teton Warm White) by Griffin Press. A very good if not fine copy. Limited signed edition number 169 of 600.

This is Liechhardt’s second expedition after the successful mammoth exploration from the Darling Downs to Port Essington. This, an even more adventurous plan, was a failure and later members of his team were to write negatively about Leichhardt’s leadership.

This book contains his journals, published for the first time and presented so well by Dan Sprod. Drawing also on other unpublished accounts he attempts to set the record straight.

Leichhardt’s second … the real story … put so well

$60.00

Updating cart…

Jardine’s Journal – Narrative of the Overland Expedition of the Messrs. Jardine from Rockhampton to Cape York – First Facsimile 1994

Kennedy – The Barcoo and Beyond 1847 – Beale – Signed by Publisher Dan Sprod

Lord Forrest – Centenary Booklet – 1847-1947

Mines and Minerals – Herbert Cox and Felix Ratte – Sydney 1885

The Great Trek [The Expedition of the Jardine Brothers in Far North Queensland] – Ion Idriess – 1947 Edition

Proud Intrepid Heart – Leichhardt’s First Attempt to the Swan River 1846-1847 – Dan Sprod – Signed, Limited Numbered Edition

Product Categories